Perez: I’m going through a great moment in my career

Force India driver Sergio Perez delivered a gutsy driver to claim third place in the Russian Grand Prix, at Sochi Autodrom, after making an inspired decision to pit for tyres during a safety car period.

Thereafter he delieverd a masterclass in tyre conservation hanging onto third until the final lap when both Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen squeezed past, demoting the Mexican to fifth. But a few corners later the two Finns collided and Perez was rewaded with a well deserved third place for his efforts. He spoke afterwards.

Checo, what a remarkable race. I thought it was all gone with a lap to go and there you were picking up the pieces and now you're up here on the podium. I’m absolutely delighted for you, because it’s a long time since Bahrain [2014] when you were last on the podium. How does it feel?
Sergio Perez: It just feels great to be back with these boys. I have been enjoying so much my trip with all of them and yeah, as you say, one lap before the end it seemed that everything went away from us. At that point I was just really unhappy with myself, because many things come to your mind. But in the end, until my last lap I was like “OK, I gave it all”. There was no more I could. I had done plenty of laps with my tyres, so I had massive degradation on my front tyres especially, so in the last lap, when it came, it was just amazing. It’s very nice to give this second podium to my team.

We want to talk a little bit about Mexico, because we are going to your home country in a number of weeks. Excitement out there?
SP: Oh yes, massively. It will be a great place. The fans are great here in Russia, so thanks for all of that. But at the same time, Mexico is going to be my most special weekend of all, no matter what result I get, and I am sure the whole paddock of Formula One will be shocked with the support we get there.